Beverage machine with rotatable brew chamber

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a beverage machine with a rotatable brew chamber, and more particularly, to a beverage machine with a rotatable brew chamber wherein the brew chamber is moved upwardly and downwardly and rotated forwardly and backwardly by means of an operation of a lever and high pressure air is supplied to a water outlet pipe connecting a temperature conversion tank and the brew chamber with each other, thus completely discharging the liquid remaining in the water outlet pipe. According to the present invention, the brew chamber can be open or closed by means of one time operation of the lever, thus allowing a cartridge to be easily detachably mounted therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a beverage machine with a rotatablebrew chamber, and more particularly, to a beverage machine with arotatable brew chamber wherein the brew chamber is moved upwardly anddownwardly and rotated forwardly and backwardly by means of an operationof a lever and high pressure air is supplied to a water outlet pipeconnecting a temperature conversion tank and the brew chamber with eachother, thus completely discharging the liquid remaining in the wateroutlet pipe.

2. Background of the Related Art

A capsule type coffee machine, which has been much sold recently in amarket, is configured to insert a capsule, pod, a pack or the like inwhich coffee beans or milk is contained into a tray of a water outletportion, to supply high temperature and high pressure water to theinterior of the capsule through a brew chamber, and to provide thecoffee beverage discharged therefrom for a user.

The coffee machine has a storage tank in which water having a roomtemperature is stored and a temperature conversion tank in which thewater supplied from the storage tank is heated and stored therein. Thewater discharged from the temperature conversion tank is supplied to theinterior of the capsule mounted in the brew chamber.

So as to mount the capsule into the brew chamber, the tray or containershould be exposed to the outside. Generally, in the state wherein thetray capable of being drawn like a drawer is completely separated fromthe coffee machine, the capsule is put into the tray, and next, the trayis fitted to the interior of the brew chamber of the coffee machine.

Recently, a coffee machine having the brew chamber rotated and moved atthe same time by means of a container rotated by one operation has beenproposed.

FIGS. 1 a to 1 d are sectional views showing the procedure foropening/closing a brew chamber of a coffee machine in the conventionalpractice.

The conventional coffee machine has a housing adapted to support theparts mounted at the inside thereof, and generally, the brew chamber islocated at the front surface of the upper end portion of the housing.

A container 20 into which a capsule is accommodated is rotatably fixedto the housing. The top portion of the container 20 is closed by meansof a cap 22, and the cap 22 is rotatably fixed to the housing.

The container 20 is rotated between a vertical position (closed state)closed by the cap 22 and a forwardly inclined position (open state). Thecontainer 20 is reciprocated between the vertical position and theinclined position around first rotating axis A1 connected to thehousing.

If the container 20 is rotated and located to the inclined position, theopen top surface of the container 20 is exposed forwardly, and thus, thecapsule can be inserted or drawn.

Further, the cap 22 is rotated with respect to the housing around secondrotating axis A2, and if the cap 22 is moved downwardly, it comes intocontact with the open top surface of the container 20. At this time, thecontainer 20 becomes closed. Further, if the cap 22 is rotated upwardlyand distant from the container 20, the container 20 becomes open.

The operations of the container 20 and the cap 22 are performed by meansof one lever 40, and as the lever 40 pulls or pushes, that is,protrusions 36 moving along guide grooves 38 formed on the container 20guide the rotation of the container 20 and the downward movement of thecap 22.

In the state where the container 20 is completely open, if the lever 40is moved down forwardly, the container 20 is rotated to the closedposition and at the same time the cap 22 is rotated downwardly and moveddown.

In the state where the container 20 completely stands up, the cap 22 ismoved down along the guide grooves 38, so that the container 20 and thecap 22 are brought into close contact with each other, thus making thebrew chamber closed.

So as to perform the above-mentioned operations, by the way, thecontainer 20 and the cap 22 should be connected to the housing by meansof their respective rotating shafts. However, the cap 22 generally has awater inlet nozzle from which water is supplied, and a water outlet pipefrom which hot water is supplied is connected to the water inlet nozzle.If the water inlet nozzle connected to the water outlet pipe is movedtogether with the operation of the cap 22, the internal structurebecomes complicated, and since the sharp water inlet nozzle attached tothe cap 22 is exposed to the outside, it may cut a user's finger.Further, the user's finger may be caught between the cap and thecontainer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of theabove-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an objectof the present invention to provide a beverage machine with a rotatablebrew chamber that prevents a sharp object like a water outlet nozzlefrom being exposed to the outside.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a beveragemachine with a rotatable brew chamber wherein a container in which acartridge is mounted is moved between a closing state contacted with achamber body and an open state separated from the chamber body, whilebeing moved upwardly and downwardly and rotated forwardly and backwardlywith a given range.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a beveragemachine with a rotatable brew chamber wherein guide protrusions areslidingly moved along guide grooves formed on a container, so that thecontainer is moved upwardly and downwardly and rotated forwardly andbackwardly with a given range by means of an operation of a lever.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide abeverage machine with a rotatable brew chamber wherein the liquid of atemperature conversion tank is moved by means of a water pump mounted ona water outlet pipe, and the water outlet pipe is extended to anappropriate level of liquid in the interior of the temperatureconversion tank, so that when the water pump is operated to lower thelevel of the liquid of the temperature conversion tank, air is notabsorbed in the water pump.

It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide abeverage machine with a rotatable brew chamber that is capable ofremoving the liquid remaining in a water outlet pipe by means of highpressure air after beverage brewing is finished.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to the presentinvention, there is provided a beverage machine for brewing a beverageby supplying liquid to a cartridge in which a material for the beverageis contained, the beverage machine including: a storage tank storing theliquid therein; a temperature conversion tank storing the liquidsupplied from the storage tank therein; a brew chamber mounting thecartridge thereinto and moved upwardly and downwardly and rotatedforwardly and backwardly between a closing position wherein the brewchamber moves upwardly and an opening position wherein the brew chamberis inclined forwardly, the brew chamber supplying the liquid suppliedfrom the temperature conversion tank to the cartridge and brewing thebeverage therefrom; and a water pump moving the liquid stored in thetemperature conversion tank to the brew chamber, wherein the brewchamber includes: a chamber body fixed to an external casing of thebeverage machine and having a water inlet nozzle mounted at the inside;a container movable upwardly and downwardly and rotatable forwardly andbackwardly within a given range with respect to the chamber body; and alever rotatably mounted with respect to the chamber body in such amanner as to be moved manually and connecting the container and thechamber body with each other to allow the container to be moved upwardlyand downwardly and rotated forwardly and backwardly within the givenrange.

According to the present invention, desirably, the beverage machinefurther includes: a supply pipe connecting the storage tank and thetemperature conversion tank with each other so as to induce the movementof the liquid discharged from the storage tank to the temperatureconversion tank; and a water outlet pipe connected to the top end of thetemperature conversion tank at one side end thereof and to the brewchamber at the other side end thereof so as to induce the movement ofthe liquid in the temperature conversion tank to the brew chamber.

According to the present invention, desirably, the lever is rotatablewith respect to the chamber body around first shafts.

According to the present invention, desirably, the container isrotatable with respect to the lever around second shafts.

According to the present invention, desirably, the lever is rotatablewith respect to the chamber body around first shafts, and the containeris rotatable with respect to the lever around second shafts, the secondshafts being rotated around the first shafts.

According to the present invention, desirably, the beverage machinefurther includes: connection means connecting the container to the leverand allowing the container to be rotated between the closing positionwherein the container moves upwardly and the opening position whereinthe container is inclined forwardly according to the movement of thelever.

According to the present invention, desirably, the connection meansinclude guide protrusions protruding from the chamber body and guidegrooves formed on the container so as to insert the guide protrusionsthereinto, the guide protrusions being movable along the guide grooves.

According to the present invention, desirably, the beverage machinefurther includes: an air supply pipe connected to an outlet portion ofthe water pump at one side end thereof; and an air pump mounted at theother side end of the air supply pipe and discharging high pressure airto the water outlet pipe so as to push the liquid remaining in the wateroutlet pipe to the outside.

According to the present invention, desirably, the beverage machinefurther includes: a vent pipe connected to the top end of thetemperature conversion tank so as to discharge the expanded liquid orair to the storage tank; a heater heating the liquid stored in thetemperature conversion tank; and a temperature sensor mounted on thetemperature conversion tank so as to sense the temperature of the liquidstored in the temperature conversion tank.

According to the present invention, desirably, the end of the wateroutlet pipe inside the temperature conversion tank is located at a lowerposition by a given height than the end of the vent pipe.

According to the present invention, desirably, the beverage machinefurther includes: a temperature conversion tank liquid level sensorsensing the level of the liquid stored in the temperature conversiontank; a storage tank liquid level sensor sensing the level of the liquidstored in the storage tank; and a cooling part cooling the liquid storedin the temperature conversion tank.

According to the present invention, desirably, the beverage machinefurther includes a lever fixing button mounted on the top surface of acap of the brew chamber in the state where a button spring is insertedinto the top surface of the cap, the lever fixing button being contactedwith the inner surface of the lever in the state of protruding upwardlyso as to fix the lever thereto and prevent the lever from being movedupwardly.

According to the present invention, desirably, the temperatureconversion tank is located at a height lower than the bottom surface ofthe storage tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 a to 1 d are sectional views showing the procedure foropening/closing a brew chamber of a coffee machine in the conventionalpractice;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a beverage machine with a rotatablebrew chamber according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the beverage machine according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal water pipe structure ofthe beverage machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the brew chamber of the beveragemachine according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the coupling relationamong the parts of the brew chamber in the beverage machine according tothe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the brewchamber of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of the brew chamberwherein a lever is moved down to a half degree;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the structure of the brew chamberwherein the lever is moved down to a full degree;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the process wherein liquid isinitially supplied from a storage tank to a temperature conversion tank;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the process wherein the liquid issupplied from the temperature conversion tank to the brew chamber; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the process wherein the liquid in awater outlet pipe is removed through the operation of an air pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a beverage machine with a rotatable brew chamber(hereinafter, referred to simply as a beverage machine) according to thepresent invention will be in detail explained with reference to theattached drawing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a beverage machine with a rotatablebrew chamber according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sideview showing the beverage machine according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, the beverage machine 100 isconfigured wherein a separate cartridge (capsule, pod, pack, etc.) inwhich a variety of materials (coffee beans, tea leaves, powder milk,cocoa powder, etc.) are contained is mounted thereon, in the similarmanner to the conventional practice, and high pressure liquid (hotwater, cold water, etc.) is supplied to the cartridge to provide thebeverage (coffee, tea, milk, cocoa, etc.) made from the material storedin the cartridge.

The beverage machine 100 has an external casing 101 constituting theouter shape thereof and various water pipe equipment and electriccontrolling parts mounted inside the external casing 101. Further, apart for mounting a beverage cartridge and a part (a brew chamber 126)for brewing the beverage material are mounted on the upper portion ofthe front surface of the external casing 101.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal water pipe structure ofthe beverage machine according to the present invention.

The beverage machine 100 has a storage tank 102 mounted at the insidethereof so as to store liquid for brewing a beverage therein, and thestorage tank 102 is connected on the underside thereof to one side endof a supply pipe 104. The other side end of the supply pipe 104 isconnected to a temperature conversion tank 112, and the liquid stored inthe storage tank 102 is introduced into the temperature conversion tank112 through the supply pipe 104. The storage tank 102 may be fixedlymounted onto the beverage machine 100, but desirably, it may bedetachably mounted thereonto, so that the liquid can be easily refilledin the storage tank 102 by a user. If the storage tank 102 is detachablymounted on the beverage machine 100, it is exposed to the outside of thebeverage machine 100, which makes it convenient to use.

The temperature conversion tank 112 stores the liquid supplied from thestorage tank 102, while heating or cooling the liquid. The temperatureconversion tank 112 is located at a height lower than the bottom surfaceof the storage tank 102, and when the storage tank 102 is mounted on thebeverage machine 100, thus, the liquid of the storage tank 102 is movedto the temperature conversion tank 112 along the supply pipe 104 bymeans of gravity. While the liquid is being moved to the temperatureconversion tank 112, air is escaped from a vent pipe 124 of thetemperature conversion tank 112.

A storage tank liquid level sensor 135 is mounted on the storage tank102 or on the inner wall of the external casing 101 at which theexternal casing 101 and the storage tank 102 are brought into contactwith each other. The storage tank liquid level sensor 135 senses theliquid level of the storage tank 102. The temperature conversion tank112 is located at a height lower than the bottom surface of the storagetank 102, and therefore, if the liquid exists in the storage tank 102,it may be fully filled in the temperature conversion tank 112.

A temperature conversion tank liquid level sensor 134 is mounted insidethe temperature conversion tank 112 and serves as an auxiliary part forsensing whether the liquid is fully filled in the temperature conversiontank 112.

The vent pipe 124 is connected from the top side of the temperatureconversion tank 112 to the upper end of the storage tank 102. The ventpipe 124 discharges the steam generated from the high temperature liquidstored in the temperature conversion tank 112 to the storage tank 102 soas to appropriately maintain the internal pressure of the temperatureconversion tank 112.

A water outlet pipe 120 is extended downwardly from the top side of thetemperature conversion tank 112 to a height h lower than the vent pipe124 and serves to move the liquid stored in the temperature conversiontank 112 to the brew chamber 126.

A water pump 108 is mounted on a given position of the water outlet pipe120 and serves to generate the power for moving the liquid from thetemperature conversion tank 112 to the brew chamber 126. The water pump108 is a typical fluid moving pump and has a flow rate capable ofmaintaining the liquid level in the temperature conversion tank 112 tothe height h or more, while a given amount of liquid is beingdistributed. If the liquid level of the temperature conversion tank 112is descended to the height h or less during the distribution of theliquid, the water pump 108 absorbs the air from the vent pipe 124.

A check valve 110 is mounted on the water outlet pipe 120 and serves toallow the liquid flowing inside the water outlet pipe 120 to flow onlyto the brew chamber 126 from the temperature conversion tank 112, whilepreventing the liquid from reversely flowing from the brew chamber 126to the temperature conversion tank 112. The check valve 110 may bemounted on any position of the water outlet pipe 120.

A pressure releasing valve 122 serves to release the pressure of thewater outlet pipe 120 by means of the operation of the pump if thepressure is raised to a given pressure or more by means of the blockingof the water outlet pipe 120, a water inlet nozzle 126-1 a, or a wateroutlet nozzle 126-5 a. The pressure releasing valve 122 is mounted on abypass pipe 121 connecting the water outlet pipe 120 and the vent pipe124 with each other.

A heater 114 is mounted inside the temperature conversion tank 112 andserves to generate heat by using the electric current supplied from apower supply part (not shown). The liquid stored in the temperatureconversion tank 112 is heated to a high temperature by means of the heatgenerated from the heater 114.

A temperature sensor 118 is mounted on the external wall of thetemperature conversion tank 112 or inside the temperature conversiontank 112 so as to measure the temperature of the liquid stored in thetemperature conversion tank 112.

Through the water outlet pipe 120, the liquid is discharged from thetemperature conversion tank 112 and supplied to the brew chamber 126.

The beverage machine 100 has the brew chamber 126 in which the cartridgeis mounted, and the brew chamber 126 is connected to the other side endof the water outlet pipe 120. The structure and operating principle ofthe brew chamber 126 will be discussed later.

An air pump 128 is mounted inside the beverage machine 100 so as todischarge high pressure air, and the air pump 128 supplies the highpressure air through an air supply pipe 130. One side end of the airsupply pipe 130 is connected to the water pump 108. That is, one sideend of the air supply pipe 130 is connected to a close position to theportion where the water outlet pipe 120 is connected to the water pump108. The high pressure air discharged from the air pump 128 is passedthrough the air supply pipe 130 and enters the water outlet pipe 120.Accordingly, the liquid remaining inside the water outlet pipe 120 ismoved toward the brew chamber 126 by means of the high pressure air.

The temperature conversion tank liquid level sensor 134 is mountedinside the temperature conversion tank 112 so as to measure the level ofthe liquid stored in the temperature conversion tank 112, and themeasured value is transmitted to a controller 132.

A cooling part 136 is additionally mounted or replaced with the heater114 on the external wall of the temperature conversion tank 112, so asto cool the liquid stored in the temperature conversion tank 112.

A drain valve 138 is mounted on the supply pipe 104 connecting thestorage tank 102 and the temperature conversion tank 112 with eachother. Through the drain valve 138, the liquid remaining inside thestorage tank 102, the supply pipe 104, and the temperature conversiontank 112 is discharged to the outside.

The controller 132 controls the operations of the water pump 108, theheater 114, and the air pump 128 and adjusts the state of the beveragemachine 100 on the basis of the measured data transmitted from thetemperature sensor 118 and the liquid level sensors 134 and 135.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the brew chamber of the beveragemachine according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is an explodedperspective view showing the coupling relation among the parts of thebrew chamber in the beverage machine according to the present invention,and FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of thebrew chamber of FIG. 6.

The brew chamber 126 serves to move the hot water or cool water suppliedfrom the temperature conversion tank 112 to the interior of thecartridge in the state where the beverage cartridge is mounted thereinand to discharge the corresponding beverage from the bottom sidethereof.

The brew chamber 126 has a chamber body 126-1 fixed to the externalcasing 101 of the beverage machine 100 and a cap 126-2 for closing thetop surface of the chamber body 126-1. The chamber body 126-1 and thecap 126-2 may be injection-molded as a unitary body.

The chamber body 126-1 has the water inlet nozzle 126-la mounted at theinside thereof in such a manner as to be located downwardly, and the endof the water outlet pipe 120 is connected to the top end of the waterinlet nozzle 126-1 a, so that the liquid moving from the temperatureconversion tank 112 is supplied to the water inlet nozzle 126-1 a.

The chamber body 126-1 is open at the front portion thereof in such amanner as to be extended from the left and right sides of the lowerportion thereof to the rear wall surface thereof, and further, acontainer 126-3 is insertedly fixed into the open front portion of thechamber body 126-1 in such a manner as to be upwardly and downwardlymovable and rotatable. The container 126-3 has a cylindrical spaceportion formed at the inside thereof so as to insert a cartridge holder126-5 thereinto, and further has relatively large square platesintegrally formed on both sides of the outer peripheral surface of thecylindrical body thereof. Container rotating grooves 126-3 a are formedon the bottom sides of the square plates. Thus, container rotatingshafts 126-4 b of a lever 126-4 are fitted to the container rotatinggrooves 126-3 a, so that the container 126-3 can be moved upwardly anddownwardly, while being rotatable forwardly and backwardly within agiven range.

The container 126-3 has generally V-shaped guide grooves 126-3 b formedon the left and right side plates thereof. The guide grooves 126-3 bform inverted V shapes, so that guide protrusions 126-1 b formed on theinside of the left and right wall surfaces of the chamber body 126-1 areinserted into the guide grooves 126-3 b. The guide protrusions 126-1 bare formed on the chamber body 126-1 not moved and fitted to the guidegrooves 126-3 b, thus conducting sliding movements, so that thecontainer 126-3 conducts the movements like the shapes of the guidegrooves 126-3 b in accordance with the motion of the lever 126-4.

The lever 126-4 has a shape of generally inverted U, while having armsextended forwardly from the ends of the lower portion thereof. The lever126-4 has lever rotating shafts 126-4 a formed on the inside of the endsof the lower portion of the inverted U in such a manner as to be fittedto grooves 126-1 c formed on the lower portions of the left and rightsides of the chamber body 126-1. Accordingly, the lever 126-4 isrotatable forwardly and backwardly within the given range with respectto the chamber body 126-1.

The container rotating shafts 126-4 b are formed on the ends of the armsextended forwardly from the ends of the inverted U, and accordingly,they are rotatably inserted into the container rotating grooves 126-3 a.

The cartridge holder 126-5 is detachably inserted into the container126-3 and has a water outlet nozzle 126-5 a protruding from the innerbottom surface thereof. The water outlet nozzle 126-5 a has a sharp topend portion like the bottom portion of the water inlet nozzle 126-1, soas to pierce the underside of the cartridge. That is, in the state wherethe cartridge is put into the brew chamber 126, if the lever 126-4 ismoved up, the top surface of the container 126-3 comes into closecontact with the underside of the chamber body 126-1, and accordingly,the water inlet nozzle 126-la and the water outlet nozzle 126-5 a piercethe top and underside of the cartridge at the same time and putthereinto.

The liquid discharged through the water inlet nozzle 126-la is passedthrough the cartridge and becomes a beverage, and the beverage isdischarged through the water outlet nozzle 126-5 a connected to theunderside of the cartridge to the outside.

The beverage discharged through the water outlet nozzle 126-5 a ispassed through a beverage outlet portion 126-6 mounted on the undersideof the cartridge holder 126-5 and moved to a user's cup.

On the other hand, a lever fixing button 126-7 serves to prevent thelever 126-4 from being easily open. The lever fixing button 126-7 ismounted on the top surface of the cap 126-2, in the state where a buttonspring 126-7 a is inserted into the top surface of the cap 126-2. Thelever fixing button 126-7 is movable upwardly and downwardly, and innormal states, it is maintained in the state of protruding upwardly bymeans of the elastic force of the button spring 126-7 a.

If the lever 126-4 is moved up to a maximum degree, the lever fixingbutton 126-7 is contacted with the inner surface of the lever 126-4, sothat the lever 126-4 is not moved upwardly anymore. In this state, if itis desired to open the lever 126-4, the lever fixing button 126-7 ispressed by the user so as to release the friction with the lever 126-4.That is, the closing state of the container 126-3 is maintained by meansof the lever fixing button 126-7.

Hereinafter, the operation of the brew chamber 126 will be in detailexplained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of the brew chamberwherein a lever is moved down to a half degree, and FIG. 9 is asectional view showing the structure of the brew chamber wherein thelever is moved down to a full degree.

So as to mount the cartridge into the brew chamber 126, the open topsurface of the container 126-3 should be exposed to the outside, andthus, the lever 126-4 pulls forwardly. The lever 126-4 is rotatablymoved forwardly around the lever rotating shafts 126-4 a.

In the state wherein the lever 126-4 completely pulls to a closingposition, the guide protrusions 126-1 b are located at the bottommostportions of the guide grooves 126-3 b. In this state, if the lever 126-4pulls forwardly to a half degree, it is rotated forwardly, so that thecontainer 126-3 connected to the container rotating grooves 126-3 a issomewhat moved down by means of the rotating operation of the lever126-4. The half of each guide groove 126-3 b is formed vertically, andaccordingly, the container 126-3 is moved down vertically like the guidegrooves 126-3 b. At this time, the container 126-3 is maintained toalmost vertical state with respect to the ground.

In the state where the lever 126-4 pulls to a half degree, the guideprotrusions 126-1 b are moved upwardly up to the intermediate portions(the portions bent to V) of the guide grooves 126-3 b.

Next, the lever 126-4 is completely moved down as shown in FIG. 9.

If the lever 126-4 pulls forwardly furthermore by means of the user, theguide protrusions 126-1 b are passed through the intermediate portionsbent to the shape of V of the guide grooves 126-3 b and enter the pathsslantly moving downwardly toward the ground. Next, the ends of theextended portions of the shape of U of the lever 126-4 are moveddownwardly, and the container 126-3 is moved furthermore downwardly.Further, the container 126-3 on which the guide grooves 126-3 b areformed is rotated forwardly and inclined by means of the variation ofthe positions of the guide protrusions 126-1 b fixed thereto. That is,the container 126-3 is rotated forwardly and inclined around thecontainer rotating grooves 126-3 a.

If the lever 126-4 completely pulls, the guide protrusions 126-1 b aremoved to the ends of the guide grooves 126-3 b and stop thereat. At thistime, the container 126-3 is in a state of being completely forwardlyinclined open.

The cartridge (being mounted in the cartridge holder 126-5) is insertedinto the container 126-3 through the open top portion of the container126-3.

Next, if the lever 126-4 pushes upwardly again, it moves upwardly in thereverse order to the above-mentioned order, so that the container 126-3comes into close contact with the underside of the chamber body 126-1.

A switch 126-8 is fixed to the chamber body 126-1 so as to sense thesafe closing of the brew chamber 126. When the lever 126-4 comes intoclose contact with the cap 126-2 to allow the brew chamber 126 to beclosed, the switch 126-8 is operated by means of a switch button 126-9mounted on the cap 126-2.

On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the processwherein liquid is initially supplied from a storage tank to atemperature conversion tank, FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing theprocess wherein the liquid is supplied from the temperature conversiontank to the brew chamber, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing theprocess wherein the liquid in a water outlet pipe is removed through theoperation of an air pump.

If the beverage machine 100 is used initially or again after kept for along period of time, no liquid exists therein. In this state, liquid isfilled in the storage tank 102, and if the storage tank 102 is mountedonto the beverage machine 100, the liquid should be supplied to thetemperature conversion tank 112 and stored therein. Since thetemperature conversion tank 112 is located at a height lower than thebottom surface of the storage tank 102, the liquid of the storage tank102 is moved to the temperature conversion tank 112 by means of gravityand filled therein. The flow rate of the liquid in the supply pipe 104moving from the storage tank 102 to the temperature conversion tank 112is varied in accordance with the liquid level difference between thestorage tank 102 and the temperature conversion tank 112 and the innerdiameter of the supply pipe 104.

While the liquid is being moved from the storage tank 102 to thetemperature conversion tank 112, the air in the temperature conversiontank 112 is discharged through the vent pipe 124.

If the movement of the liquid is finished, the liquid is filled by agiven amount in the storage tank 102 and fully filled in the temperatureconversion tank 112.

If a start switch is pressed by the user after the cartridge is mounted,as shown in FIG. 11, the water pump 108 is operated by means of thecontroller 132. Accordingly, the liquid stored in the temperatureconversion tank 112 is supplied to the brew chamber 126 through thewater outlet pipe 120. At the same time, since the liquid is suppliedfrom the storage tank 102 to the temperature conversion tank 112, thelevel of the liquid stored in the storage tank 102 becomes lowered.However, the liquid is supplied again to the temperature conversion tank112 by means of gravity, the liquid stored in the temperature conversiontank 112 is maintained to a higher level than the height h by means ofthe relations between the water outlet flow rate of the water pump 108and the supply flow rate to the temperature conversion tank 112.

If the liquid is supplied to the brew chamber 126 by a fixed amount, theoperation of the water pump 108 stops by means of the controller 132.Accordingly, the liquid is not supplied anymore to the brew chamber 126,but a given amount of liquid (residual water) remains in the wateroutlet pipe 120.

The amount of liquid supplied from the water outlet pipe 120 to the brewchamber 126 is adjustable by means of the control of the moving time ofthe liquid. That is, the operating time of the water pump 108 isadjusted by means of the controller 132, thus adjusting the amount ofliquid to be supplied. Generally, the water pump 108 supplies the sameamount of liquid per unit time, so that the fixed amount of liquid canbe accurately supplied through the control of time.

If the supply of the liquid to the brew chamber 126 is finished, asshown in FIG. 12, the air pump 128 is operated by means of thecontroller 132 in the state where the water pump 108 stops.

The air pump 128 injects the high pressure air to the interior of thewater outlet pipe 120 through the air supply pipe 130. The liquidremaining in the water outlet pipe 120 is moved to the brew chamber 126by means of the injected high pressure air. Accordingly, the wateroutlet pipe 120 becomes empty.

The liquid (residual water) pushed by means of the high pressure air maybe moved toward the temperature conversion tank 112, but the reverseflowing of the liquid is prevented by means of the diaphragm water pump108, so that the liquid (residual water) pushed by means of the highpressure air is not moved toward the temperature conversion tank 112.Accordingly, most of liquid is moved toward the brew chamber 126.

If a new beverage cartridge is mounted, liquid is supplied in the samemanner as mentioned above.

As mentioned above, the chamber body having the sharp water inlet nozzleis fixed to the external casing of the beverage machine, and even if thebrew chamber is open, no dangerous element is exposed to the outside.

Further, the brew chamber can be open or closed by means of one timeoperation of the lever, thus allowing the cartridge to be easilydetachably mounted therein.

Furthermore, the liquid is completely removed from the water outletpipe, thus preventing the residual water after the water supply frombeing dropped.

Additionally, the liquid stored in the storage tank is moved to thetemperature conversion tank by means of gravity, and accordingly, thelevel of the liquid stored in the temperature conversion tank can becontrolled, without having any level sensor on the temperatureconversion tank.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theparticular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by theembodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodimentswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A beverage machine for brewing a beverage by supplying liquid to acartridge in which a material for the beverage is contained, thebeverage machine comprising: a storage tank storing the liquid therein;a temperature conversion tank storing the liquid supplied from thestorage tank therein; a brew chamber mounting the cartridge thereintoand moved upwardly and downwardly and rotated forwardly and backwardlybetween a closing position wherein the brew chamber moves upwardly andan opening position wherein the brew chamber is inclined forwardly, thebrew chamber supplying the liquid supplied from the temperatureconversion tank to the cartridge and brewing the beverage therefrom; anda water pump moving the liquid stored in the temperature conversion tankto the brew chamber, wherein the brew chamber comprises: a chamber bodyfixed to an external casing of the beverage machine and having a waterinlet nozzle mounted at the inside; a container movable upwardly anddownwardly and rotatable forwardly and backwardly within a given rangewith respect to the chamber body; and a lever rotatably mounted withrespect to the chamber body in such a manner as to be moved manually andconnecting the container and the chamber body with each other to allowthe container to be moved upwardly and downwardly and rotated forwardlyand backwardly within the given range.
 2. The beverage machine accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a supply pipe connecting the storagetank and the temperature conversion tank with each other so as to inducethe movement of the liquid discharged from the storage tank to thetemperature conversion tank; and a water outlet pipe connected to thetop end of the temperature conversion tank at one side end thereof andto the brew chamber at the other side end thereof so as to induce themovement of the liquid in the temperature conversion tank to the brewchamber.
 3. The beverage machine according to claim 1, wherein the leveris rotatable with respect to the chamber body around a first axis. 4.The beverage machine according to claim 1, wherein the container isrotatable with respect to the lever around a second axis.
 5. Thebeverage machine according to claim 1, wherein the lever is rotatablewith respect to the chamber body around the first axis, and thecontainer is rotatable with respect to the lever around the second axis,the second axis being rotated around the first axis.
 6. The beveragemachine according to claim 1, further comprising connection meansconnecting the container to the lever and allowing the container to berotated between the closing position, wherein the container movesupwardly and the opening position, and wherein the container is inclinedforwardly according to the movement of the lever.
 7. The beveragemachine according to claim 6, wherein the connection means compriseguide protrusions protruding from the chamber body and guide groovesformed on the container so as to insert the guide protrusions thereinto,the guide protrusions being movable along the guide grooves.
 8. Thebeverage machine according to claim 2, further comprising: an air supplypipe connected to an outlet portion of the water pump at one side endthereof; and an air pump mounted at the other side end of the air supplypipe and discharging high pressure air to the water outlet pipe so as topush the liquid remaining in the water outlet pipe to the outside. 9.The beverage machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a ventpipe connected to the top end of the temperature conversion tank so asto discharge the expanded liquid or air; a heater heating the liquidstored in the temperature conversion tank; and a temperature sensormounted on the temperature conversion tank so as to sense thetemperature of the liquid stored in the temperature conversion tank. 10.The beverage machine according to claim 9, wherein the end of the wateroutlet pipe inside the temperature conversion tank is located at a lowerposition by a given height h than the end of the vent pipe.
 11. Thebeverage machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a temperatureconversion tank liquid level sensor sensing the level of the liquidstored in the temperature conversion tank; a storage tank liquid levelsensor sensing the level of the liquid stored in the storage tank; and acooling part cooling the liquid stored in the temperature conversiontank.
 12. The beverage machine according to claim 1, further comprisinga lever fixing button mounted on the top surface of a cap of the brewchamber in the state where a button spring is inserted into the topsurface of the cap, the lever fixing button being contacted with theinner surface of the lever in the state of protruding upwardly so as tofix the lever thereto and prevent the lever from being moved upwardly.13. The beverage machine according to claim 1, wherein the temperatureconversion tank is located at a height lower than the bottom surface ofthe storage tank.
 14. The beverage machine according to claim 3, whereinthe container is rotatable with respect to the lever around a secondaxis.
 15. The beverage machine according to claim 9, further comprising:a temperature conversion tank liquid level sensor sensing the level ofthe liquid stored in the temperature conversion tank; a storage tankliquid level sensor sensing the level of the liquid stored in thestorage tank; and a cooling part cooling the liquid stored in thetemperature conversion tank.